Random FPS lag while playing video games

[Dr. Doctor (inactive)]

I've been playing games such as Counter-Strike: Source for the past while, now. At first, the game would run fine at 40 FPS. And it did for a while. Now, the game frame rate will randomly drop to 10-20 FPS. This isn't chronic, as it will go away after about a minute. I've kept my CPU temp and usage windows open on another display and it shows no spike in usage or temperature during this time.

This plagues most of my games. Games like Counter-Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2, but not games like The Binding of Isaac or Realm of the Mad God. I already went through several troubleshoots, such as closing background programs and checking drivers (led to no avail).

This is becoming more and more of a problem, can anyone help?

 

[Snipeye]

You checked CPU temps; what about GPU temps? Guessing here that maybe something could be wrong with the GPU. Have you noticed any increase in noise from your PC while playing these games? Any increased amounts of heat emanating from the PC?

 

[Johnny]

It could be a number of problems. Easiest solution to problems like these is regular maintenance. Reformatting your hard drive twice a year, weekly defrags, etc usually alleviates these annoyances.

 

[zetas]

Could be GPU temp. Whenever my GPU(s) hit a high enough temperature, they'll go insane and start stuttering and lagging all over the place untill I can get the fans going.